Dear All
Earlier this morning I took the liberty of emailing the ILPH regarding the efforts of the IHDG in respect of the horses in France awaiting transport to the Italian abbatoir. My email is reproduced below.
As you can see, further below, I have received a reply from them.
This is a very encouraging reply indicating action on behalf of all horses having to suffer long journeys to slaughter and I hope that some of the stronger voices on this DG will be willing to act on behalf of these horses.
I do hope, being new to the IHDG, I have not overstepped the mark, but this is a chance to make a difference for all horses - you only have to look at Cybelle's face and all the others to know that it's worth it.
As you can see from the ILPH reply, we can do a couple of things. We can co-ordinate a response from those who wish to be involved (I am happy to do this or you can nominate someone you know and trust from the IHDG ) or you can get in touch individually. This will make more sense once you have read through the emails.
Over to you guys.
With best wishes.
Soldier (Diane)
My email to the ILPH
Dear Emma
This week a group of people who belong to the Intelligent Horsemanship Discussion Group (IHDG) read a post by a member regarding horses from Spain being fattened in France for the Italian horse meat trade. In only two days enough money was raised by donation to rescue one of the horses, a Percheron mare, who will now be travelling to the UK next week. This particular horse was bought with the help of a charity called Equine Market Watch (EMW), who are also members of the IHDG. They had already had interest from an approved home for just such a horse and so the horse will have a home to go to. EMW will remain the owner of the mare and be there as a safety net should the home no longer be available. The complete price of the mare plus travelling costs were raised by the IHDG members.
This 'rescue' prompted several other members to purchase horses themselves (approx 5). I believe 6 have also been purchased from this particular fattening farm in Dept 41 by people in France.
Whilst these horses will not themselves be going for slaughter, members are all too aware that others will take their place. There has now been much discussion on a way forward and how members of the IHDG can make a real difference to the trade in live horses being transported for slaughter. In particular the members who raised the money and put in the time and effort to make the arrangements for the transportation of these horses do not want to feel that their efforts have been in vain and in fact do not believe so because they have made a difference to the lives of these horses. We would now like to know how we can make a difference in the bigger picture.
Would it be possible for you to give me a reply which I could post on the IHDG for other members to read?
Kind regards.
ILPH Reply
Dear Diane
Many thanks indeed for your e-mail. We are very encouraged to read that the IHDG is keen to take action to halt the long distance transportation for slaughter in Europe. As you clearly know, this is a campaign that the ILPH has been committed to for many years; in fact it was one of our founding issues.
Your timing couldn’t have been better to get in touch. We are in the process of recruiting active campaigners right now ready for action in around September / October of this year. We need people who are able to visit their local MP, generate publicity for the campaign in their local press as well as arrange profile raising events. We also need those who are simply happy to sign a petition or write a letter to the EU Commission. There are activities for everyone no matter how much time they have on their hands.
To give you some more detail about our campaign, our ultimate aim is to end the long distance transport of horses to slaughter in Europe and replace it with a carcase only trade. We are currently campaigning for a decrease in journey times and stricter enforcement of Regulation 1/2005 (which was introduced in January of this year). Recent research commissioned by the ILPH and carried out by Emma Leckie (which was launched last month) confirms that if Regulation 1/2005 was adhered to by transporters, journeys of over 24 hours would become unprofitable and actually make a loss. Journeys under 24 hours would become less profitable than the carcase only alternative. This supports our field evidence, which found that many journeys were being carried out illegally, with too few rest stops and over-stocked lorries without single-stalling.
If you would be kind enough to establish from your group who would be prepared to be very active campaigners and who would prefer to take a more passive role but have their voice heard and then e-mail me their names, addresses, telephone number and e-mail addresses, that would be fantastic. Alternatively you could pass on my e-mail address / mailing address and ask them to get in direct touch with this information.
Thanks again for getting in touch and I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards, Emma
Emma Seel
Campaigns Officer
International League for the Protection of Horses
DDI: 01953 497266
Switchboard: 01953 498682
Fax: 01953 498373
E-mail: emmas@ilph.org
Website:
www.ilph.org